Weather & Climate in Morristown, SD

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Morristown has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 311 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 16.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,249 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	43.5°F
	19% below US avg
January Average	16°F (-9°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,249 ft (685 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	166/sq mi
Coordinates	45.9386°N, 101.7188°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Corson County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 74 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.5"

56% below US avg

Snowfall 51.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.23"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	38.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.2 / 100
Community Resilience	2.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

175 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 7 fatalities, 61 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	99 km	14.8 mi	2
Jul 4, 1978	EF4	53 km	26.0 mi	5
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	60 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1981	EF3	99 km	23.9 mi	0
Jun 12, 2011	EF2	41 km	6.0 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	65 km	8.2 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	92 km	22.9 mi	0
Jul 18, 1986	EF2	61 km	10.5 mi	0
May 25, 1972	EF2	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 12, 1969	EF2	61 km	6.1 mi	0
Jul 17, 1969	EF2	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF2	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 1964	EF2	75 km	0.8 mi	0
May 29, 1953	EF2	71 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF1	60 km	2.2 mi	0
Jul 12, 2019	EF1	70 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 21, 2016	EF1	67 km	3.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	TENBROOK	30,588	48 km
2021	WINDY	16,866	40 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	92 km
2013	PAUTRE	11,733	60 km
2021	DIVIDE CA	10,635	85 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	44 km
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	91 km
2006	LUND	9,425	72 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	45 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	74 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	54 km
2006	KELLY	5,071	83 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	32 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	54 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	97 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	39 km
2007	HAY CREEK	2,655	74 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	25 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	95 km
2012	CORNSTALK	2,561	68 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	16°F (-9°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
April	44°F (6°C)	1.9 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.8 in
June	65°F (19°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	70°F (21°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.7 in
September	60°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	0.9 in
November	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	0.4 in

Morristown has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.3").

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